Art provides a forum for discussion of climate change and adaptation
The ability to meet the challenges of climate change requires collaboration between different agents in society. This can help to break down the barriers that represent obstacles to transitioning and climate adaptation. One example is the art project ‘Man and Biosphere – Prekära situationer’, which aims to inspire action and collaboration between scientists, experts and the general public.
Presentation about life environments on the beach, standing on a sand model of Kristianstad.
Rising sea levels, more periods of heavy precipitation and more heatwaves are things that we will need to adapt our society to be able to cope with. We therefore need to plan our society in accordance with the prevailing – but primarily, the future – climate conditions. This will include reducing our vulnerability to floods, forest fires and heatwaves. This can only be achieved by means of commitment and common goals.
Artistic forms of expression have the potential to challenge our ways of thinking, enabling us to better understand the implications of climate change. Artistic methods, visualisations and characterisations provide other types of models for the discussion of major societal issues. This is why artists and scientists joined together to launch the art project Man and Biosphere – Prekära situationer, in order to demonstrate how the town of Kristianstad will be affected by changes such as increased precipitation and rising sea levels.
Kristianstad and the Kristianstads Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve
To prevent the perception that problems can seem too remote to be taken seriously, we need to be able to refer to local examples. Kristianstad, in northeastern Skåne, has a direct link to changes in the climate, as it has Sweden’s lowest ground level and is partly situated below sea level. Situated between the town and the sea, Kristianstad Vattenrike Biosphere Reserve is a wetland area that provides protection against flooding. For this reason, Kristianstad and Kristianstads Vattenrike form the basis of the art project.
Embroidment showing how rising sea levels could affect the coast line.
The project
The art project Man and Biosphere – Prekära situationer is aimed at the local population and people who otherwise have a connection to Kristianstad. The objective is to stimulate the public to engage in discussion and social change, and the hope is that people will become aware of what is taking place in their immediate vicinity. This will make them more able to understand and comprehend the things that are happening on a global scale, helping to generate a sense of commitment.
Part of the project involves the development of methods for cross-disciplinary exchange, whereby the participating scientists, artists and other experts also become one of the project’s target groups.
A public programme for broader appeal
The project extends over almost an entire year, featuring activities such as a climate concert, art film viewings, art exhibitions and hikes out in the Vattenrike reserve with a variety of scientists and artists. The events are held in different places around the town, in the Naturum Vattenriket nature centre, outdoors in the Vattenrike reserve, and at the Kristianstad Art Gallery.